People's faith commitments can never be completely separated from their experience of family life. Our character, perspectives and world-view are hugely affected by the beliefs which surround us as we grow up. For some, the experience moulds them and provides an enduring framework to understand the meaning and purpose of life. For others, it creates… Continue reading They ain’t heavy, they’re my brothers…
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness and poverty for 25 years. He is a former CEO of West London Mission and is now a government adviser focusing on how faith and community groups address rough sleeping. He lives with his wife and three children in Streatham, south London. He likes football...but loves cricket.
Spiritual resources for social activism
'Everyone thinks of changing the world, but where, oh where, are those who think of changing themselves? People may genuinely want to be good, but seldom are they prepared to do what it takes to produce the inward life of goodness that can form the soul.' Richard Foster Over the last few months, I have… Continue reading Spiritual resources for social activism
‘Faith is always personal, but never private’
I often reflect on this quote from the American social activist Jim Wallis: 'Faith is always personal, but never private.' Its a pithy way to describe the inward and outward nature of authentic Christianity. Personal convictions are the engine-room of faith. Individual hearts and minds need to be committed. Each of us need to answer… Continue reading ‘Faith is always personal, but never private’
What 10 years of blogging has taught me…
Yes, that’s right, this blog is 10 years old. In April 2011, I wanted to create a space where I could think aloud and reflect on issues of faith, social justice and transformation. Since then, I have published 512 articles, so roughly one a week. The process of writing publicly in this way has taught… Continue reading What 10 years of blogging has taught me…
Sins of Fathers – by Michael Emmett [review]
Growing up, Michael Emmett suffered from the impact of both sexual abuse and having a father who was a career criminal. He was drawn into a chaotic life of crime, violence and drug use. He was eventually arrested and sentenced for 12 years for drug smuggling. Faith In prison, through the chaplaincy, he began a… Continue reading Sins of Fathers – by Michael Emmett [review]
Greed which consumes itself: lessons from Chaucer for the European Super League
Geoffrey Chaucer was a 14th century English poet and author, best known for The Canterbury Tales. These collection of stories are told by a motley crew of fictional characters on a pilgrimage from London to Canterbury. My favourite one is The Pardoner’s Tale. The Pardoner is a malevolent and hypocritical character. He swindles poor people… Continue reading Greed which consumes itself: lessons from Chaucer for the European Super League
Dealing with status anxiety
There are many obvious forms of status anxiety, such as worrying about the brand of the car we drive, the location of our home or the success of our careers. But a more subtle version relates to our concern for how much we are seen as someone who is compassionate or concerned for social justice.… Continue reading Dealing with status anxiety
The divine and the dusty
It’s easy to see why problems with the Church turn people off the Christian faith. The evangelical wing of the church is currently in the spotlight due to the Ravi Zacharias and Jonathan Fletcher scandals, but no part of the church is immune. I remember the physical shock I felt when hearing the news about… Continue reading The divine and the dusty
When arrogance is institutionalised
The report into the behaviour of the Church of England Minister Jonathan Fletcher was published by the safeguarding agency 31:8 this week. It is a devastating catalogue of coercion, control, bullying and abuse carried out by someone held in such esteem within the conservative evangelical world. The report reveals Fletcher’s penchant for dishing out… Continue reading When arrogance is institutionalised
What the Church can learn from addicts
In my last job, I was based in a church building which hosted a huge range of 12 Step recovery groups in its basement. The most famous of these is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but there were also groups specifically for people struggling with many of the compulsive behaviours that Brand lists above. Disarming In my… Continue reading What the Church can learn from addicts
